Monday, December 5, 2011

Managing a construction project is different from any other stream of management. High level of knowledge in advanced management techniques and the process of construction are required for the efficient management of a construction project. A project always has a well defined start and end date with a set of predefined objectives. The project is scrapped as soon as the goal is accomplished. The challenges and the targets of a construction project are specific. These projects are temporary in nature, and the management practices are different from that of repetitive business as usual activities. In spite of differences in procedures and technological requirements, a construction project has many similarities with projects in the filed of pharmaceuticals, energy, or aerospace sectors. Project Management Institute defines project management as a form of art that helps to reach a set of predefined goals in terms of scope, time, cost, satisfaction, and quality throughout the duration of the project with the use of advanced techniques of management and coordination of human, as well as material resources. The overall perspective of the management of a business or industry in general has a much wider scope and continuity. However, the principles of general management are widely used as effective project management tools because there are many similarities between the two.

Proper grasp of the advanced general management techniques and the specific domains relating to construction is considered to be imperative for successful project management. Knowledge of computer science and decision theory is also important in the context of efficient project management. Decision support systems and computer aided information systems were once considered to be no more than supporting tools in management. However, these are now the basic tools of any discipline of management. Other techniques of operations research like network analysis and linear programming have also become commonly practiced general management tools in the modern day management fraternity. Management of projects in the construction sector involves different types of conflict resolution. The operational objectives of a construction project get impacted heavily due to resource related constraints. Commonly conflicts take place due to constraints pertaining to manpower, finance and material resources. There can also be conflict between the different predetermined objectives of the project like quality, time, scope, and cost. It is extremely important to assess the chance of such conflict at the time of inception of the project so that proper agreements can be made without delaying the progress of the project.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Storm drain contractors are employed by General contractors to perform work on storm water drainage systems. This type of pipeline system is necessary for rerouting accumulated storm water runoff from ground surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, curbs, and parking lots.

Employing licensed and certified storm drain contractors is necessary when systems are installed or repaired. These systems have to be maintained on a regular basis to minimize risk of flooding and to check for large pieces of debris that can cause systems to backup and overflow.

Storm drainage systems are comprised of a series of water pipes, catch basins, and inlets. That latter two are devices that attach to subsurface pipes. They are positioned by roads, sidewalks, and curbs to filter debris and convey water to a discharge location.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Bulldozers are essential for a variety of functions and can often be found on construction sites, military camps, engineering project venues, farms, mines and quarries. Any construction entrepreneur knows, thus, that bulldozers are necessary to deal with a wide array of construction works. And, no construction business would survive without bulldozers, so having them is a must.

Most construction business operators have quite a dilemma, when faced with the prospect of buying dozers for their businesses. Should you buy a used dozer? Or, should you go for a new dozer? If you can't make up your mind about it yet, the following suggestions may be able to get you of that rut.

Consider the following questions when choosing between a used dozer and a new dozer:

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Any business that deals with lifting, lowering and transferring heavy loads from one place to another relies a lot on cranes. These machines are instrumental in introducing functionality and are effective in achieving operational success to any business. This is why cranes are important additions to any construction business' team - and also why construction companies are always on the lookout for cranes that they can buy.

What a lot of them don't know, though, is that cranes are not only effective machines when they are brand-new. Second hand cranes are also good at fulfilling what their brand-new counterparts can do, only with more benefits.

Contrary to popular beliefs, buying second hand cranes is not the bad idea that you think it would be. There are a lot of good things that people can reap from considering cranes that have been used before.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Hardware items encompass a large number of parts and pieces important for various types of construction. Eye bolts, dowels, nuts & washers are small pieces of hardware items that fasten parts of a structure or furniture in place. For average persons, it can be difficult to differentiate one from another. Would you know where to find these items when you go to a hardware store to look for them?

Here is a breakdown of the four different pieces, their description and uses.

Eye bolts and Dowels

An eye bolt is a type of screw with a looped end used for tying cables. It is commonly used for hanging paintings or picture frames by a string to a wall. Other uses include as a locking mechanism or for building clothesline.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Every year the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) makes new changes to its laws and regulations, which may cover construction bonds or the ability for a contractor to obtain a contractor's license bond. Here are the changes in laws and regulations the California CSLB made for 2012:

CSLB Licensing and Board Operations

The CSLB must now be notified within 90 days of a Responsible Managing Officer's (RMO) or Employee's (RME) disassociation from the license. The bill also enables a 90-day extension in limited circumstances to replace the qualifier for the license.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The person who oversees, plans and designs a building, whether a single story home or a 100 story high-rise is called an architect. The information below should help you choose an architect that is able to give you the optimized construction design you deserve.

An individual interested in pursuing an architectural career needs to have management skills, technical knowledge and understand business. These skills are just as important as the design aspect. They help guarantee the client receives building design optimization.

Education. Experience. Examination.

An architect usually has to have at least a degree in architecture from a college or university. This requirement is frequently satisfied by a two to three year internship. How long an internship is depends on the state or jurisdiction being practiced in. A series of exams or registration examination must be successfully completed prior to licensure.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

A fire escape approach and a handful of extinguishers are not all it takes to safeguard your company from the danger of a fire. Fire protection services implemented by trained professionals are a vital aspect of a thorough, compliant, fire protection strategy, but some people responsible for ensuring the safety of a building aren't aware of the simple elements that go into a complete fire protection strategy.

If you are one of these people, don't worry. Fire protection services typically fall into three types, and each one is outlined below.

DESIGN/INSTALLATION

Each fire sprinkler installation and fire suppression process is different. Prefabricated products that may be easily mounted new building or a restoration job simply can't be because each project is at least a little different.

When your fire protection service provider is taking care of your system, concerns such as the available water supply and purpose of the facility will be examined. A high-pile warehouse, a standard office and a welding facility have distinct requirements. If the business owner has any critical requirements, the planning step is when those questions will need to be considered. For instance, if the company intends to expand its existing building down the line or expand its storage potential, these big picture objectives have to be factors in your blueprint. Other concerns include those of the building's insurance underwriter. Sometimes a carrier's requirements could be more stringent than the standard rules.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

One of the most important considerations of investors of energy-saving or green building project is knowing if and when the investment will pay off. In order to attract investors there must be assurances that their investment is profitable. Investors, owners and project managers employ various tools to evaluate fiscal feasibility and one of the most effective means for assessing total cost is the Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA).

LCCA is an assessment method that takes into account the fiscal aspects in the acquisition, ownership and disposition of building projects. It can also be brought to bear by project managers to weed out alternative possibilities and focus in on achieving project performance goals. When comparing two or more design alternatives, the Energy Life Cycle Cost Analysis (ELCCA) method can be used. ELCCA is a computer model that accurately quantifies different design alternatives.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Hiring a sewer contractor is necessary whenever new sewer systems are installed or old systems repaired or flushed clean. Since sewer pipes carry away toxic waste materials the system needs to be cleaned and serviced by experienced technicians. If not, raw sewage could be released into the environment.

Any time sewer contractor services are needed it's important to employ reputable companies that are experienced with the type of application involved. Contractors are required to obtain work permits, along with having a business license and insurance coverage prior to performing work on public or private systems.

Sewer pipe installation is a multifaceted process that necessitates precision craftsmanship. Serious consequences can happen if a system is installed improperly or later fails. For this reason, it's vital to hire contractors that are certified and licensed and have obtained specialized training for the scope of work involved.